Terror police arrest Romanian man over DHL warehouse fire suspected to have been started with Russian incendiary device
A Romanian man has been arrested in connection with a fire at a DHL warehouse in Birmingham suspected to have been caused by a Russian incendiary device.
While no one was injured in the blaze, counter-terrorism police have been investigating the fire at the facility in Minworth that took place last year on July 22.
The parcel is believed to have arrived at the DHL warehouse by air but it is not known whether it was in a cargo or passenger aircraft, nor where it was destined for, the Guardian reports.
It was previously reported that investigators believed Russian spies had hidden the incendiary device inside a parcel that was loaded onto a plane headed for Britain.
Pictures of the blaze have backed up assessments that if the device ignited during the flight there would have been a possibility of serious consequences.
The 38-year-old Romanian national was arrested on March 19 after arriving at Stansted airport on an inbound flight, the police said.
He was arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, under section 3 of the National Security Act 2023, the force added.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that officers from counter-terrorism policing are investigating an incident at a commercial premises in Midpoint Way, Minworth.
Counter-terrorism police have been investigating the fire at DHL warehouse in Minworth, Birmingham that took place last year on July 22 (file photo)
It was previously reported that investigators believed Russian spies had hidden the incendiary device inside a parcel that was loaded onto a plane headed for Britain
'On Monday 22 July, a package at the location caught alight. It was dealt with by staff and the local fire brigade at the time and there were no reports of any injuries or significant damage caused.
'Due to the circumstances, and the specialist capability and expertise in investigating such matters, the investigation is being led by officers from the Met's counter-terrorism command with support from colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands.
'The investigation remains ongoing and one man has been arrested for offences under the National Security Act.'
The force added that the man was taken to a police station in London before being released on bail to appear in court in July.
As part of the investigation, officers also carried out searches at two addresses in Essex.
The police spokesperson added: 'As part of our inquiries, officers are liaising with other European law enforcement partners to identify whether this may or may not be connected to any other similar-type incidents across Europe.'
A Counter Terrorism Policing spokesman said: 'Due to the circumstances, and the specialist capability and expertise in investigating such matters, the investigation is being led by officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command with support from colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands.
'The investigation remains ongoing and one man has been arrested for offences under the National Security Act.
In October, German intelligence warned a similar incident at a DHL centre in Leipzig (pictured), came close to causing a fatal plane crash
'The 38-year-old Romanian national was arrested on 19 March after arriving at Stansted airport on an inbound flight to the UK.
'He was arrested on suspicion of assisting a foreign intelligence service, under section 3 of the National Security Act 2023 and he was detained under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (Pace).'
In October, German intelligence warned a similar incident in Leipzig, also in late-July, came close to causing a fatal plane crash.
Thomas Haldenwang, head of Germany's intelligence service, said that a disaster was narrowly averted after a parcel ignited on the ground at the DHL logistics centre in Leipzig rather than mid-air.
The plane, which was also believed to have been travelling to the UK, had been delayed, with experts warning there could have been a very different outcome had it taken off on time.
The incidents in Birmingham and Leipzig are thought to be part of a wider spate of attempts by Russian spies to 'generate mayhem', head of MI5 Ken McCullum previously warned, while plots are being formed by other hostile state actors, including Iran, at a an 'unprecedented pace'.
Other countries in Europe reportedly recorded similar cases of packages containing incendiary devices, prompting a warning to aviation and logistics companies to sensitise their employees and take precautionary measures.
Last September, DHL said it had 'taken measures' in light of the incidents in the UK and Germany.
A DHL spokesperson said: 'In response to ongoing investigations by authorities in several countries, DHL Express has taken measures in all European countries to protect its network, its employees and facilities, as well as its customers' shipments.
'We are aware of two recent incidents affecting shipments in our network.'
